Masai Russell misses 100m hurdles world record at Xiamen Diamond League
Olympic champion Masai Russell fell just 0.02 seconds short of the women’s 100m hurdles world record at the Xiamen Diamond League, clocking a staggering 12.14 seconds.
The American star dominated the race to finish ahead of current global record-holder Tobi Amusan.
Nigeria’s Amusan crossed the line 0.14 seconds behind the newly crowned Paris gold medallist.
Russell had already established herself as the second-fastest woman in history over this distance last year with a time of 12.17 seconds.
“I don’t know when the world record is going to come but I keep getting closer and closer,” Russell said.
“I’m blessed, I’m ecstatic and all the hard work is truly showing.”
Yan Ziyi produces historic javelin throw
Earlier in the Chinese city, 18-year-old Yan Ziyi stunned the home crowd by producing the second-longest women’s javelin effort in history.
The teenager launched her very first attempt to an incredible 71.74m to comfortably win the competition.
Her phenomenal distance also set a brand new under-20 world record.
Only Czech legend Barbora Spotakova has ever thrown further, having set the current world record of 72.28m back in 2008.
“I came to this event with the goal for 65m, so it really blew my mind to see that result,” the young prodigy admitted.
“A flash in the pan is not what I want, I don’t want this 71.74 to be just a one-time thing.”
Dos Santos outpaces Warholm in hurdles duel
The men’s 400m hurdles provided a thrilling track battle between two Paris Olympic medallists.
Brazilian bronze medallist Alison dos Santos surged past Norwegian silver medallist Karsten Warholm in the closing stages.
The South American crossed the finish line in a rapid 46.72 seconds to claim a prestigious victory.
In the men’s 100m sprint, Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala accelerated aggressively at the halfway mark to win in 9.94 seconds.
He successfully held off a late surge from South African rival Gift Leotlela.
Jackson cruises as Yihune battles to 5000m win
Jamaican sprint queen Shericka Jackson secured her second consecutive weekly victory in the women’s 200m.
Great Britain’s Amy Hunt endured a difficult race, finishing seventh in the nine-woman field.
American Jamal Britt was victorious in the men’s 110m hurdles as compatriot Cordell Tinch faded to fifth.
The men’s 5000m concluded with dramatic scenes as Ethiopia’s Addisu Yihune secured a gritty victory in 12 minutes 57.32 seconds.
The distance runner launched a decisive attack on the final bend before collapsing to the track clutching his knee.